As the business and outreach librarian at the Vernon Area Public Library, Ashley Johnson often serves as the Lincolnshire library’s liaison to the business community.

Johnson, of Crystal Lake, recently talked with Pioneer Press about her work and the changing role of libraries. The Vernon Area Public Library serves residents in Lincolnshire and the unincorporated area of Prairie View, as well as parts of Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Riverwoods and Vernon Hills.

Q: What do you do at your job?

A: I work in collaboration with the community engagement and programming department here at the library, and I’m the contact for businesses and nonprofits. I meet with small business owners and educate them on resources here at the library that can help them, such as databases, having direct mailing lists, research on companies and social media counseling. For nonprofits, we have a robust database with grants available for fund seekers. We help more than 500 people annually in one-on-one sessions, business programming and offsite visits. I also lead groups of people. For example, I’m going to teach the Lincolnshire Garden Club how to use Facebook.

Q: Who comes to you for help?

A: People of all ages and points in their careers but especially people starting new businesses or nonprofits. We’ve seen patrons working from the library like it’s their home office.

Q: How have libraries changed over the years?

A: Mainly, how people use them. Instead of a one-person study place, we’re a collaborative space, where people actively learn. For example, a woman was here yesterday who wanted to start her own vegan soup business. We sat down, and she learned about laws regulating commercial kitchens and permits. I also helped a man who owns a logistics management company in India, and he wanted to start a subsidiary of that company here. We built him a business-to-business marketing list to meet potential, new businesses.

Q: Through your job, have you noticed new business trends?

A: There’s an interest in creative entrepreneurships that include businesses like breweries, artisans, chefs and landscape designers. There’s a lot risk involved, but also a convergence of passion and business. The library helps these people feel comfortable like the beer brewer who had never done bookkeeping.

Shout Out is a weekly feature in which we introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago.